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A federal appeals court ruled against a criminal defendant who challenged the warrantless use of a stingray that was used to locate him.

The Wednesday decision marks the first time that questions regarding the proper use of stingrays, also known as cell-site simulators, have reached the federal appellate level.

In the United States v. Patrick, suspect Damian Patrick had an outstanding warrant for a probation violation and was found via the use of a stingray in Milwaukee in 2013.